Dog sanctuary closes down

David Schiavone

Sep 18th 2009, 20:34

I must applaud all those animal lovers who take care and ensure that all animals are treated well and taken good care of, however on the other hand I do not agree disturbing the surrounding families. The families in bahar c-caghaq looked like were disturbed and full of anger, so I believe that in cases like these the foul smell, the garbage generated from such activity should have been controlled and properly taken care of. Moreover the dogs should have been given an adequate living rather then being grouped like piles of rubble in an anbadoned place causing havoc for surrounding people. Without pin-pointing I believe that at the end an equal respect should be given to people and also to animals.

W Spencer

Sep 18th 2009, 10:50

@ f ferriggi

If your last sentence were to come true, there would be very few dog owners in Malta / Gozo

r ferriggi

Sep 18th 2009, 08:57

someone correct me if wrong,,,,but the level of pet abandonment and animal abuse must be higher in malta.

when abroad,,,, anyone can note that pets are more trained, more obedient,,,,, and somehow look livelier and happier.

is this my perception only??

if this is true,,,, maybe wardens should also check these things out when doing their money-collection rounds,,,

pets only to those who know how to handle them.

GiovDeMartino

Sep 18th 2009, 06:34

Ma nasal QATT bies nifhem kif jista' jkun hawn xi hadd imsejjah bniedem jahqar lil dawn hekk imsejha annimali. I don't know who said it: You make a dog prosperous, he will not bite you. That is the difference bet man and dog.

Albert Scerri

Sep 17th 2009, 23:18

@ Maria Jenkins
Thank YOU for helping those in need...the dogs that you and others cared for.

@ Mark
As far as I know, it is only in certain places that dogs are not allowed to run free. But then again I stand to be corrected. However, I still maintain that well-behaved dogs should be allowed some freedom.

J. Falzon

Sep 17th 2009, 22:23

It is ironic to read that Mr Mark Vella Bardon of Noah's Ark is being taken to task by someone for just reminding us what the law states i.e. all dogs should be kept on leash when taken out in public places.
Certainly that's how it should be. We need discipline and civic-mindedness and show that respect is two-fold .... towards our dear pets as well as to the people out there.
Thanks Mr Vella Bardon for the good advice. Keep up the good work.

maria jenkins

Sep 17th 2009, 21:04

i would like to thank all those kind hearted people who helped in any kind of way, specialy all those people who stayed till the very end , in this lovely mission to help these poor stray dogs , from the bottom of my heart and all the dogs , thank you very much .. also a big thanks goes to happy paws cherity clinic who help stray dogs free of charge . this cherity clinic depends only from donations .

Mark Vella Bardon

Sep 17th 2009, 20:25

@ Albert Scerri
I am not starting any campaign.
It is simply against the law to let a dog run free in a public place.
I have only outlined why this is so.
In New Zealand for example one gets fined $100 on the spot, even if it is just outside your driveway!
@S Sammut
This is why enforcement is so essential. The sad and farcical facts are that if and when enforcement takes place, instead of simly punishing the irresponsible owner, the action taken in such situations is that if the dog is removed it is usually put down.

Albert Scerri

Sep 17th 2009, 19:40

Attn Mark Vella Bardon Noah's Ark :
If a dog is a well behaved animal and obeys EVERY order given it by its owner, I see no reason not to allow it off the leash every now and then in a RESPONSIBLE manner. So please,
do NOT start a campaign for compulsory leashing of dogs.
Thank you

s.sammut

Sep 17th 2009, 11:41

we have been complaining about a dog kept locked up in a garage, barking at all times all day and night, but to no avail... Is it a case of two weights two measures? What are the police waiting for. They told us to take the owner to court... more hassle for us neighbours while the police sit placidly waiting for US to take action when it should be their job to protect neighbours from irresponsible owners.

Mark Vella Bardon Noah's Ark

Sep 17th 2009, 11:31

@ r friggieri
This all comes under RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP

Letting dogs out on the loose, usualy for the purpose of relieving themselves is an awful habit. It is also very dangerous, especially at night. It is against the law.
NO dog should be around off a leash. This is most inconsiderate towards people who are cautious of dogs, no matter how docile one's dog is.
Most dogs will bark incessantly if they are unhappy, usually when left for too long on their own.
Anyone thiing of adopting a dog should be first vetted by professionals. So many people fall into the trap of the idea of possessing one when they are totally unsuitable as dog owners.

r ferriggi

Sep 17th 2009, 10:39

I would never think of hurting any animal.

but ALL of this is the result of the pet craze that has engulfed us.

dogs should be kept only by persons who REALLY love them, and have space for them.

also,,,,, owners are OBLIGED not to disturb neighbours with their pets, including barking, damage, biting, dirtying etc.

owners should be made to sign this in a written decaration.

the level of egoism by some (supposedly) animal lovers is scary.

laws should be drawn to protect those who do not like pets.

and not only laws to protect animals !!!!

fbonello

Sep 16th 2009, 23:26

@David Buttigieg

Yes, dogs do not vote, but we animal lovers do have a vote !!!!!!

Mark Vella Bardon, Noah's Ark

Sep 16th 2009, 22:48

We too took only one dog from Bahar ic-Caghaq this time. Too many dogs have been already added to our sanctuary as a result of the Emergency Animal Ambulance Service which we have been operating since June. This service demands that we also provide after care to the injured dogs and cats that we recover. We have to give priority to accomodate these injured dogs. Overcrowding only endagers their health andaffects their quality of ilfe, this is unacceptable to the purpose of our mission.
Sanctuaries and neutering are not the simple answer to minimising strays.
,We are desperately waiting for microchip registration and its enforcement as well as for responsible ownership. On our insistence, this government has committed itself to this.
We believe that this will be the best answer to the current problem.
The most serious problems that are facing sanctuaries are finances and the lack of volunteer helpers. I can only ask the readers of this newspaper and blog to offer assitance as best they can, whichever sanctuary it is that they may choose to help.

Mark Vella Bardon, Noah's Ark

Sep 16th 2009, 22:34

We can only hope that this place will be closed down for good.
Three years ago Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary took responsibility for 50 dogs from this place. We did this because there was already a court order to remove them. We were only able to do this with the help of Mrs. Joan Baker. Mrs. Baker had already been helping out in sorting out with the very poor condition of the premises and the veterinary care of the dogs kept there.
We rescued those 50 dogs, some of which are still residents with us. Most of the others were rehomed locally and abroad. It was very difficult for us because at that time it meant doubling the occupancy of the sanctuary. We therefore had to double the number of pens. We took the dogs on condition that no more dogs were admitted at Bahar ic-Caghaq.
Everyone knows about the developments there over the past months and we will not comment further.

charles grech

Sep 16th 2009, 20:51

@ Minister George Pullicino.

Dear Minister Pullicino. Your name will go down in the annals of history for the record number of animal sanctuaries closing down and for the number of animal welfare NGO's halting their services during your time as Minister 'responsible' for animal welfare. Yet you embark on projects like the demolition of the former Naval Oil Depot at Vittoriosa when this same building could have been used to compliment THE BUNKER you prefer to call After Care Centre at Ta' Qali.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090801/local/opposition-criticises-demolition-of-naval-oil-depot

rose ann

Sep 16th 2009, 17:12

And no one wants dogs roaming in the streets....... yet another Dog Sanctuary closed down!

What about the useless building now? Atleast it was used by these lovely volunteers to shelter these dogs!
ps: The fine is so ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dcamilleri

Sep 16th 2009, 16:06

It's not ok to have a dog shelter close to a residential area....but it is ok to issue permits for parties including extremely loud music in residential areas;, or close off streets for festa and religious processions.......and such....!!!!!

STEPHEN ZAMMIT

Sep 16th 2009, 12:20

Can the Animal Welfare Dept. please send inspectors in Hal-Farrug limits of Luqa especially in the area near the so-called industrial estate (opposite WSC headoffice).
There are plenty of stray dogs which come out especially after sunset to the detriment of residents. This week my wife was attacked by one of these dogs whilst carrying our 9-month old son. Are we waiting for some tragedy to occur as usual before taking action? Both the local council and the Luqa police station said they could do nothing about it. This is not the first time an accident has happened and it is not the first time we have filed a report in vain.

C Sciclunac

Sep 16th 2009, 12:13

I praise these volunteers for their efforts to help and protect stray dogs. However, as a resident in Bahar ic-Caghaq, I would also ask one and all to consider the impact of such a 'sanctuary' on the nearby neighbourhood.

David Buttigieg

Sep 16th 2009, 11:56

Edmond,

you forget that dogs don't vote!

edmond baldacchino

Sep 16th 2009, 11:50

pajjiz tal mickey mouse..she was fined 4.65 euro a day , for taking care of these dogs , and doing such a good deed with these animals,...